Birch bark research and development

Ethnobotanical survey of folk plants for the treatment of snakebites in Southern part of Tamilnadu, India.

Aims : Phytosterols are a subgroup of the steroids, as an important class of bioorganic molecules,widespread in plants, animals, marines as well as fungi and have similarity to cholesterol in structure. These compounds have a long history of consumption as food or pharmaceutical products, and generally recognized as safe without undesirable side effects.

The Story of Beta-sitosterol-A Review

Pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenes, exemplified by lupeol [lup-20(29)-en-3b-ol], principally found in common fruit plants such as olive, mango, strawberry, grapes, etc., were reported to possess beneficial effects as a therapeutic and preventive agent for a range of disorders. Although lupeol exhibits an array of biological activities like anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities both in in vitro and in vivo systems, extensive exploration to establish its role as a chemopreventive compound is warranted. Last 15 years have seen tremendous efforts by researchers worldwide to develop this wonderful molecule for its clinical use toward the treatment of a variety of disorders. These studies also provide insight into the mechanism of action of lupeol and suggest that it is a multi-target agent with immense anti-inflammatory potential targeting key molecular pathways which involve nuclear factor kappa B (NF-jB), cFLIP, Fas, Kras, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase in a variety of cells. It is noteworthy that lupeol at its effective therapeutic doses exhibits no toxicity to normal cells and tissues. The perception of chemoprevention lies still in its infancy. Intervention to slow down, arrest or reverse the process of carcinogenesis by the use of either natural or synthetic substances individually or in combination therapy has emerged as a promising and pragmatic medical approach to reduce cancer risk.

Biological Activities of Lupeol

Snakebite is classified by the WHO as a neglected tropical disease. Envenoming is a significant public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions. Neurotoxicity is a key feature of some envenomings, and there are many unanswered questions regarding this manifestation. Acute neuromuscular weakness with respiratory involvement is the most clinically important neurotoxic effect. Data is limited on the many other acute neurotoxic manifestations, and especially delayed neurotoxicity. Symptom evolution and recovery, patterns of weakness, respiratory involvement, and response to antivenom and acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors are variable, and seem to depend on the snake species, type of neurotoxicity, and geographical variations. Recent data have challenged the traditional concepts of neurotoxicity in snake envenoming, and highlight the rich diversity of snake neurotoxins. A uniform system of classification of the pattern of neuromuscular weakness and models for predicting type of toxicity and development of respiratory weakness are still lacking, and would greatly aid clinical decision making and future research. This review attempts to update the reader on the current state of knowledge regarding this important issue.

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Neurotoxicity in Snakebite—The Limits of Our Knowledge

Daboia russellii and Naja kaouthia venom neutralization by lupeol acetate isolated from the root extract of Indian sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indicus R.Br.

Viper and cobra venom neutralization by β-sitosterol and stigmasterol isolated from the root extract of Pluchea indica Less. (Asteraceae)

The whole seed extract of S. nux vomica (in low doses) effectively neutralized Daboia russelii venom induced lethal, haemorrhage, defibrinogenating, PLA2 enzyme activity and Naja kaouthia venom induced lethal, cardiotoxic, neurotoxic, PLA2 enzyme activity. The seed extract potentiated polyvalent snake venom antiserum action in experimental animals. An active compound (SNVNF) was isolated and purified by thin layer chromatography and silica gel column chromatography, which effectively antagonised D. russelii venom induced lethal, haemorrhagic, defibrinogenating, oedema, PLA2 enzyme activity and N. kaouthia induced lethal, cardiotoxic, neurotoxic, PLA, enzyme activity. Polyvalent snake venom antiserum action was significantly potentiated by the active compound. Spectral studies revealed it to be a small, straight chain compound containing methyl and amide radicals. Detailed structure elucidation of the compound (SNVNF) is warranted before its clinical trials as a snake venom antagonist.

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Ipshita Chatterjee

Papers

Daboia russellii and Naja kaouthia venom neutralization by lupeol acetate isolated from the root extract of Indian sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indicus R.Br.

Viper and cobra venom neutralization by β-sitosterol and stigmasterol isolated from the root extract of Pluchea indica Less. (Asteraceae)

Antisnake venom activity of ethanolic seed extract of Strychnos nux vomica Linn.